Addis Ababa, 22th February 2019: The African Union Commission Deputy Chairperson, Amb. Kwesi Quartey, today, held bilateral talks with Ambassador Raul Pollak, Director General of Political Affairs in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Uruguay, Amb. Kwesi welcomed Amb. Pollak to the African Union headquarters and acknowledged the importance of advancing the collaboration between the African Union and Uruguay. He noted the African Union’s keenness to enhance its partnership with Uruguay in a number of areas, including cooperation in agriculture and agri-business sectors.

The two sides also discussed issues relating to peace and security on their two continents.

The Deputy Chairperson briefed Amb. Pollak on the priority focus of the AU Commission, highlighting the ongoing institutional reforms of the Union, the integration agenda and domestic resource mobilization policy implementation, all aimed at driving the realization of equitable and inclusive socio-economic transformation and development of the continent.

Continuing, he emphasized human capacity development as the driver of economic growth and noted the linkages between leveraging on education and skills revolution and sustainable development. He noted the progress made in African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA) and the incentive mechanisms to advance the economic integration in the continent.

Amb. Pollak, in his turn, expressed appreciation for the African Union’s commitment to the principles of South-South Cooperation and assured the Commission of his Government’s resolve to work closely, in bilateral, regional and international domains, including the promotion of peace and security, the fight against terrorism and tackling climate change for the mutual benefit of Africa and South America.

The meeting was attended by officials of AU Commission Political Affairs as well as Peace and Security Departments.

The Uruguayan delegation included Dr. Alejandro Garofali, the Ambassador of Uruguay to Ethiopia and Permanent Representative to UNECA, UNEP and UNHABITAT and Mr. Diego Pérez Gomar, Counsellor and Deputy Head of Mission.